The Heretic Wind

The Life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England

By: Judith Arnopp

Narrated by: Alex Lee

Adored by her parents and pampered by the court, the infant Princess Mary’s life changes suddenly and drastically when her father’s eye is taken by the enigmatic Anne Boleyn. Mary stands firm against her father’s determination to destroy both her mother’s reputation and the Catholic church. It is a battle that will last throughout both her father’s and her brother’s reign, until she is almost broken by persecution. When King Edward falls ill and dies, Mary expects to be crowned queen.

But she has reckoned without John Dudley, the Duke of Northumberland, who before Mary can act, usurps her crown and places it on the head of her Protestant cousin, Lady Jane Grey. Furious and determined not to be beaten, Mary musters a vast army at Framlingham Castle; a force so strong that Jane Grey’s supporters crumble in the face of it, and Mary is at last crowned queen of England.

But her troubles are only just beginning. Rebellion and heresy take their toll both on Mary’s health, and on the English people. Suspecting she is fatally ill, and desperate to save her people from heresy, Mary steps up her campaign to compel her subjects to turn back to the Catholic faith.

All who resist will face punishment for heresy in the flames of the Smithfield fires.

©2020 Judith Arnopp (P)2020 Judith Arnopp

I loved every minute.

so sympathetic and beautifully read. if there were to be a film or series adaptation, it would be magnificent.

Narration was distracting

It’s all personal preference, so the narrator might not irritate others, but I ended up not getting through the book because after giving it a shot I couldn’t get past the narration. However, I’m considering getting the book in paper format because it’s interesting and definitely a compassionate glimpse into Mary’s life. If you have wondered how so many people were cruelly put to death under her reign, her childhood definitely bred some major resentments that didn’t help matters..,

An interesting read

I enjoyed this book; it was interesting and offered a different view of Mary. She had a difficult life and was ill-used by most of the people in her life. The author covers most of the reasons why she acted as she did. The narrator is a bit dramatic but stick with her - she’s actually quite good. She also narrated the author’s book Kiss of the Concubine about Ann Boleyn which was good too. I’d listen to this again

Well done

As a historical fiction fan and a fan of the movie “The Tudors” I appreciated the accuracy of the author’s novel. It was well narrated too. I have always wanted to know more about Mary’s story. This book told that.

felt rushed

I liked how Mary told her own story, but the story was very rushed and didn't go into any detail at all. nothing new, nothing to hold my attention except the narration, which was good.